What is Colloquial English? 🤔

Colloquial English is the informal, casual language that native speakers use to speak naturally (which is most of the time!)

It includes phrases, expressions, slang, and idioms. It's more playful and expressive than formal English.

For example:

- Instead of "Something went wrong" → "It's gone pear-shaped"

- Instead of "You're right!" → "You've hit the nail on the head!" 🔨

These are the kinds of expressions you'll learn in the course.

Why It Matters 💬

Colloquial English is essential for anyone wanting to connect more deeply with British people. It appears constantly in everyday conversation, social media, television, and informal writing.

Without it:

- You'll struggle to understand what British people are actually saying

- You'll miss out on the playfulness and humour of British social interaction

Real-life situations: ☕

- Someone says "Fancy a cuppa?" (want a cup of tea?)

- A colleague asks "Shall we crack on?" (shall we continue?)

Your formal English skills won't help you here. You need colloquial English.

What You'll Learn 🇬🇧

I teach a 'standard' British colloquial English — everything works across Britain and can be used naturally with any British person.

I'm a Londoner, so the expressions I teach are particularly natural in London. Since London has the largest concentration of international workers and students in Britain, this works well for most learners.

After the Course 🎓

You'll speak colloquial English with confidence and feel at home in Britain — not like someone on the outside.

You'll be able to participate in friendship groups, understand the humour, and connect with British people on a deeper level.

You'll also have trained your ear to recognise new expressions and work out their meanings — a skill that keeps developing long after the course ends. ☕

Cultural Knowledge 🇬🇧

Why Culture Matters

Understanding colloquial English isn't enough. To truly connect with British people, you also need cultural knowledge — understanding how we think, behave, and what matters to us.

What People Really Mean 🧐

It's understanding why:
- "Not bad" actually means "very good"
- "Interesting" often means "I disagree"
- "With respect..." means "I completely disagree"
- "Quite good" means "disappointing"
- Understatement is everywhere

It's recognising the unwritten rules:
- Apologise constantly (even when not at fault)
- Avoid being too direct or blunt
- Don't brag or show off
- Queue properly (people notice)
- Small talk is expected (especially about weather)

British Humour 🎭

British humour is particularly tricky. We use a lot of irony, sarcasm, and self-deprecation.

Example: When something goes wrong and someone says "Well, that went brilliantly", they're not being serious — they're making a joke to turn a negative situation into something funny (something Brits love to do!)

Without this cultural context, you'll be one step behind in conversations.

Cultural References 👩‍⚕️

Then there are the references that come up in everyday chat: the cost of living, the latest scandal, NHS waiting times, football rivalries, The Traitors — these and many more come up constantly.

Without knowing what's current, you'll be lost while everyone else gets the reference.

Deeper Topics 🇬🇧

There are also political and historical references that come up less often but matter when they do. Things like Brexit, Thatcherism, or the NHS aren't in every conversation, but they reveal how British people think and what they believe in.

Understanding these references creates interesting conversations where people share insightful perspectives with you.

Language + Culture = Real Connection 💫

You need both to truly connect:

Colloquial English teaches you how to speak naturally.
Cultural knowledge teaches you how to understand — what people really mean, the humour, and social behaviour.

Both together create genuine and meaningful connection. ☕